This area began as a
small township, the Edna Post Office opened in June of 1887.
The first postmaster, Lynferd Maxwell, selected the name "Edna"
to honor his granddaughter. That early Post Office closed
in September 30, 1920, but seven years later Maxwell laid
out a town at the site of the post office which we called
Maxwellton.
The new name never caught on, and the town took the name of
the post office. Who Edna was has never been fully established.
Maxwell's first granddaughter was named Edna, and may have
been the source of the name. Another claimant was Edna Laurel
Clark Calhan, daughter of Charles H. Clark. Her claim was
that the town was named at her father's suggestion. As is
often the case with such names, there may never be a definitive
answer.
Today the legacy from those early years lives on at the Old
Edna story and gallery. The historical information presented
here came from "Memories of the Land, Placenames of San
Luis Obispo County" by Mark P. Hall-Patton.
If you would like to find out more about your neighborhood
please read Mark's book or check with the San Luis Obispo
County Historical Society, they love to answer questions.
805 543-0638 or go online at this address:
www.slochs.org
The Edna Valley is now known as a quiet, beautiful place with
vineyards and oak trees. Soon it will be known as the home
of Edna Hills Estates…and a great place to live.
